The requirement to get reviewed is simple: (a) Your blog is written in English or Bahasa Indonesia; (b) The blogger is using original name or so it seems; pseudonym or ghostname blogger will not be considered unless for specific reasons; (c) Blogging frequently; (d) The content is original and not commercial (blog about career, vacancy (lowongan kerja), scholarship (beasiswa), etc won’t be considered).

So, if you are an Indonesian and have an English-speaking blog and you feel it fits the above criteria, it’d be of great help if you put your blog URL address in the comment box below along with a brief intro. In the next few weeks, it could be your blog turn to be reviewed. Keep blogging, writing and sharing your precious thoughts.

Any non-Indonesian who blogs a lot on Indonesia are also eligible to get reviewed provided the blogger gives a clear identity. At least, clear name and from which country he/she belongs and why he/she blogs about Indonesia.II. Top Ten Indonesian Bloggers of the Year

Each year, I also award the Top Ten Blogger of the Year for English-speaking Indonesian blogger whose blogs I already reviewed as Blogger Indonesia of the Week. The main criteria being not only the quality content of the blog, but more particularly, the influence and sort of leadership on-and-off-line the bloggers in question carry.

For those who face difficulties in finding their opinions/writings get published in a newspaper or magazine, blog could be an effective medium to self-publishing as a starting point, in the hope that one day one or two editors will find their writings and get attracted to it and publish it.
Photo: By blogging, Indonesian intellectuals and other ‘celebrities’ would not & should not be the ivory towers anymore.

For those who used to write personal diary in a locked-diary note book, blog is certainly a much safer place to scribble their scattered thoughts and feelings.

And for those who used to enjoy sitting in an ivory tower like eminent government officials and DPRs or MPs, famous columnists, serious academicians and celebrities, blog could be beneficial and very effective tools to interact with their readers and “fans” and treat them as 100% equals by voluntarily responding back to each of their readers queries; linking back to their readers who link their blogs and even visiting their readers blogs.

Thus, for the famous personalities, blogging could be a learning medium for being humble and down-to-earth, in case they havent already got one… Treating their “fans” in equal terms certainly not an easy task for those who are getting used to be idolized and treated like prince or princess. In the long term, it (being humble) certainly pays off in a big way.

As an ordinary blogger, I consider myself very fortunate to have several good relationship with the famous personalities. The blog makes it happen. Several emails from several eminent personalities within Indonesia or non-Indonesians–who already have blog or just as a visitor– come to my email inbox. The advantages of blogging certainly not only limited to the one I just mention, there must be many more to come. And we’re looking forward to seeing it in the days ahead…